Written answers

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

12:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage breakdown of payments by electronic fund transfer for each of the various schemes in operation by his Department for each of the past three years; the controls in place to ensure that those receiving payment through EFT remain entitled to payment under the scheme; the number of cases for each of the schemes over each of the past three years where payment through EFT was withdrawn as a result of his Department's discovering that the claimant was no longer entitled to payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27213/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The detailed information requested in relation to the percentage of payments paid by EFT in each of my Department's schemes is set out in the table.

Risk analysis is a key element of my Department's control strategy. This entails the identification of areas of high risk of fraud and abuse in the various schemes and putting in place appropriate measures to address them in a systematic way. Any particular risks associated with each claim or payment type, are addressed in this context.

My Department's control strategy entails the use of a mix of measures to control fraud and abuse. These include desk reviews of claim papers, home visits, the issue of mailshots to selected claimants or groups of customers, database checking, employer inspections and medical reviews in the case of illness payments. This mix of measures provides flexibility to use the most appropriate measure in any given circumstance. The potential for fraud associated with any claim is dictated by the risks associated with a particular claim, for example, the claim type and characteristics of the claim, rather than the payment method.

Intensive control initiatives, involving people paid by various payment methods including EFT, have been undertaken by my Department in a number of areas and in relation to selected groups of customers in recent years. However a breakdown by payment method, of cases which have been disallowed, is not available.

Table: % of EFT Payments 2004 to 2006
Schemes Dec-04 Dec-05 May-06
% % %
OACP 44 53 54
RP 22 29 30
OAP 9 12 13
PRETA 20 23 25
DB 30 36 40
INVP 18 25 26
OIB etc 13 14 14
Disablement 0 0 10
DA 16 24 25
CB 38 31 29
WCP/ORCP 22 28 29
WNCP/ORNCP 5 7 7
DWB/DWA 5 7 8
OPFP 13 18 23
Maternity 85 85 85
FIS 84 85 85
Carers 9 14 16
Rent 0 0 0
SWA 12 15 16
BTWS-PENLIVE 97 98 98
BTW/ABI-ISTS 98 98 98
BPP 9 13 15
UB 45 52 49
UA 27 28 24
Smallholders 6 0 0
Farm Assist 27 29 29
All Schemes 25 30 30

Photo of John CreganJohn Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress on an application for the respite care allowance for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if the processing of such applications is up to date; the percentage of applications which have been dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27232/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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People providing full-time care who are in receipt of Carers Allowance, Carers Benefit or Prescribed Relatives Allowance receive the Respite Care Grant automatically, without having to apply for it. The same applies where a Constant Attendance Allowance is in payment in respect of the person being paid for. Payment is made on or after the first Thursday in June of the year to which the payment refers. This is the date each year on which the qualifying conditions must be met in order for the Grant to be paid in respect of that year.

Budget 2005 extended entitlement to the Grant to all full-time carers irrespective of means or contribution record but subject to certain conditions relating to the provision of full-time care and attention. A section was set up in my Department to process applications from people in this newly entitled category.

In 2005 such applications were solicited by means of a press and publicity campaign and as a result over 7,500 people have been paid the Grant in respect of that year. The closing date for receipt of applications in respect of 2005 is 31 December 2006 and applications in respect of 2005 continue to be received. The Grant in respect of 2006 is payable to people who meet the qualifying conditions on Thursday 1 June 2006 and is payable on or as soon as practicable after that date.

Applications for the 2006 Grant from those not entitled to receive it automatically by virtue of their primary payment, are being solicited in two phases. First, those who applied for and received the Grant in 2005 have been written to enclosing a brief questionnaire to establish whether they continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of the Grant in 2006. On foot of this initiative, to date, approximately 6,000 applications have been received. In addition, a small number of unsolicited applications in respect of 2006 have been received and are also being processed. To date 1,191 Grants have been paid to successful applicants.

The second phase of the campaign to identify those people who may be eligible for the Grant for the first time in 2006 will take the form of a press and publicity campaign. This will take place over the coming months. An example of a person who may be entitled to the Grant for the first time in 2006 would be a carer who is employed or self-employed for a period of between 10 and 15 hours per week and would thus be in a positionto avail of the increase in the number of permitted hours of employment or self-employment outside the home, announced in Budget 2006.

By its very nature the receipt of a large volume of applications over a relatively short period creates pressures in the section processing them. However every effort is made to process these applications as soon as possible. I am satisfied that the actions being taken will ensure that the 2006 Grant applications, will be processed at the earliest possible date.

In the case to which the Deputy refers, I understand the application was successful and payment will issue shortly.

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